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Penalty for typo in registration number

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  • Penalty for typo in registration number

    Hi All,

    I had purchased my parking ticket using the RCP website, but when entering the details I had failed to notice a typo in the car registration number. There was a single character incorrect, and when I checked the car registration I had entered does not exist. I returned to find the PCN ticket on the windscreen, and immediately sent an email to them to explain (see below).

    "Dear Sir or Madam,

    I received a notice for not displaying a parking ticket on xx September @ 11:22 at the ***** car park in ***. Ibought the parking ticket online using my online account, however, upon review it appears as though I made a mistake, andpressed “x” rather than “x” when typing in the registration number. Please seeattached for the receipt for 2 days parking at the car park, which covers the two days I was parked there. Please note that the instruction says to place in the vehicle ifpossible, but unfortunately it was not possible as I paid for it at the carpark and did not have access to a printer.

    I have also tried finding a car with the registration “xxxx xxx” and this car does not exist, which proves it was an honest mistake.

    I have been using this car park for many weeks now, andhave always paid for every visit, and so expect a full cancellation of thisfee.

    Kind Regards,"


    They had responded, but due to the busy time in work I had missed the reply, so thought everything was ok. They had responded with the following (which I had missed):

    "On this occasion we will be happy to settle the parkingcharge notice if the administration fee is paid for.

    Your options for payment are as follows:

    1. Pay online at http://www.rcpparking.com/pcn-charges
    2. Cheque for £10.00 made out to 'RCP Parking Limited' -Sent to our head office

    Credit/debit card payments incur a 50 pence surcharge.

    Please settle the parking payment within the next 14days, if the payment is not made the charge will revert to £50.00".

    Obviously I had missed this. The next communication was from the debt collection agency earlier this month (I did not receive any further postal or email communication from them, including the Notice to Registered Keeper) stating that I need to pay £100 within 28 days. I sent them an email on the 15th appealing against the increase, and received a response today. The response was basically "It's with the debt collectors now, we aren't dealing with it" or words to that effect. I can post copies of all correspondence if needed. The problem I have is that those 28 days are almost up.

    So I have a few questions:
    1. It appears as though they had accepted it was an honest mistake, and I am now paying for the original fine. They expect the conditions of the original penalty to remain when I don't believe they should, because the charge is now different. Is this right?
    2. Given the circumstances, and the lack of a NtRK letter through the post, do they even have a case?
    3. Any other bits or advice you can help me with?

    I think I still have the original PCN notice, and I can post that if needed.

    Many thanks,
    The Cat.
    Tags: None

  • #2
    Re: Penalty for typo in registration number

    Hello,

    I've tagged [MENTION=5553]charitynjw[/MENTION] to assist when he comes online but I would tend to agree with you in that they have accepted your mistake and agreed to accept a payment of £10 in return. Of course they did caveat that by stating the offer is only available to you for the next 14 days otherwise they will claim £50 from you. Since you missed that deadline the offer for £10 is revoked. I assume the debt collection agency has added their own fees of £50 on top to make the £100 charge they seek?

    Whilst I am probably not able to answer all of your questions, perhaps it is arguable to suggest that having intended to comply with the parking conditions, the sum of £50 for failing to enter the correct registration number by one character is unfair and therefore unenforceable (if a court claim were to be issued).

    Subject to what Charity says, it may be worth writing a letter to RPC (and CC their debt collector) to that effect, referring to their acceptance of your mistake and enclose a cheque for £10 in full and final settlement of this matter. Should they cash the cheque then that will be considered acceptance of your offer but if they send it back to you, then you will not be making any further offers and will defend any action brought by RPC to the fullest extent permissible. Not sure it is worth pointing out their mistakes at this stage about not sending the NTK as that could be used as a defence if a claim was issued, assuming they are well out of time now but equally, prevents them from let's say producing the document now saying they have in fact complied.

    Guess it all depends on how aggressive you wish to be and how far you are willing to take it. As above, Charity may offer some better ideas as he is more knowledgeable than I am on parking tickets.
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    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Penalty for typo in registration number

      Thanks [MENTION=71570]R0b[/MENTION], your swift response is much appreciated. Your idea about sending the cheque now for full and final payment sounds a good one, but lets wait for [MENTION=5553]charitynjw[/MENTION] for some further tips

      the cat

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Penalty for typo in registration number

        To be honest it's probably the easiest route out of this now, much as I dislike saying it. On the other hand RCP have not taken anyone to court this year so it may be take the gamble on ignore.

        With them now knowing the driver it makes any defence awkward. As they know the driver then the non receipt of an NTK is immaterial, they are not chasing the keeper but the known driver.

        Other than that just ignore letters from debt collection companies.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Penalty for typo in registration number

          Hi

          RCP are BPA members, who still seem to be chasing for minor mistakes such as this.

          That said, they have not been very litigious over the last couple of years, so if it were me I'd send them an ex gratia letter/email agreeing to the £10, providing they cancel.
          CAVEAT LECTOR

          This is only my opinion - "Opinions are made to be changed --or how is truth to be got at?" (Byron)

          You and I do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.
          Cohen, Herb


          There is danger when a man throws his tongue into high gear before he
          gets his brain a-going.
          Phelps, C. C.


          "They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!"
          The last words of John Sedgwick

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Penalty for typo in registration number

            Originally posted by charitynjw View Post
            Hi

            RCP are BPA members, who still seem to be chasing for minor mistakes such as this.

            That said, they have not been very litigious over the last couple of years, so if it were me I'd send them an ex gratia letter/email agreeing to the £10, providing they cancel.
            Thank you [MENTION=5553]charitynjw[/MENTION]. I'll do that and let you know the outcome. I'll send by letter. Should I cc the debt collection agency?

            the cat.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Penalty for typo in registration number

              Do not contact any 3rd party debt collection agencies.
              Just file & ignore their correspondence.
              CAVEAT LECTOR

              This is only my opinion - "Opinions are made to be changed --or how is truth to be got at?" (Byron)

              You and I do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.
              Cohen, Herb


              There is danger when a man throws his tongue into high gear before he
              gets his brain a-going.
              Phelps, C. C.


              "They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!"
              The last words of John Sedgwick

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Penalty for typo in registration number

                Originally posted by charitynjw View Post
                Do not contact any 3rd party debt collection agencies.
                Just file & ignore their correspondence.
                Had this response by email today.

                "Good Morning,

                Thank you for your letter and the cheque received this morning.

                These will be returned to you, as I have previously stated that this Parking Charge Notice is at £100 and it will then increase to £179.

                In order to settle this Parking Charge Notice, you will need to contact TNC on 01242214645.

                Many thanks,

                BCB"

                I believe that this is no longer a parking charge as they agreed that I could just pay the administration. Any further tips?

                Many Thanks,

                Ian.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Penalty for typo in registration number

                  TNC are a 3rd party debt collection agency.

                  If it were me I wouldn't contact them.
                  CAVEAT LECTOR

                  This is only my opinion - "Opinions are made to be changed --or how is truth to be got at?" (Byron)

                  You and I do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.
                  Cohen, Herb


                  There is danger when a man throws his tongue into high gear before he
                  gets his brain a-going.
                  Phelps, C. C.


                  "They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!"
                  The last words of John Sedgwick

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Penalty for typo in registration number

                    Originally posted by charitynjw View Post
                    TNC are a 3rd party debt collection agency.

                    If it were me I wouldn't contact them.
                    I don't want to. However, I have just had another email this time from TNC (This is the first email I have had from them).

                    "Our organisation has been retained to assist with RCP Parking

                    From records passed to us it would appear that an amount owing by you is currently overdue.

                    This may be an oversight but as the matter has been brought to your attention would you now make payment and clear the account.

                    Please make sure you contact our collections department without any further delay to make payment in full.

                    Alternatively, if you are unable to make full payment please contact us on 01242-214-645 so that we may discuss whether a mutually agreeable repayment plan is possible.

                    It is important that you contact us to discuss this account within 24 hours of receiving this notice.
                    "

                    Looks like they are stepping up their chasing.

                    The Cat

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Penalty for typo in registration number

                      Debt collector = Ignore

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Penalty for typo in registration number

                        Seconded.....ignore.
                        CAVEAT LECTOR

                        This is only my opinion - "Opinions are made to be changed --or how is truth to be got at?" (Byron)

                        You and I do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.
                        Cohen, Herb


                        There is danger when a man throws his tongue into high gear before he
                        gets his brain a-going.
                        Phelps, C. C.


                        "They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!"
                        The last words of John Sedgwick

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Penalty for typo in registration number

                          Originally posted by charitynjw View Post
                          Seconded.....ignore.
                          Hi all,

                          Well, I have just got off the phone to the 3rd party debt collector - they had phoned my home number, I am not sure how they managed to get that, I certainly have not been in touch with them, and have not given RCP my phone number either. They had not been handed any of the details of the case (I have now), and are now going back to RCP to tell them. They stated that I owed £179. I probably should have ignored the call and told them not to contact me.

                          Told them I'm not going to pay £179 for an admin fee.

                          We'll see where this goes.

                          the cat

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Penalty for typo in registration number

                            Dealing, or trying to deal with, 3rd party debt collectors is a complete waste of time.

                            They are interested in one thing only...their slice of the potential pie.
                            CAVEAT LECTOR

                            This is only my opinion - "Opinions are made to be changed --or how is truth to be got at?" (Byron)

                            You and I do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.
                            Cohen, Herb


                            There is danger when a man throws his tongue into high gear before he
                            gets his brain a-going.
                            Phelps, C. C.


                            "They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!"
                            The last words of John Sedgwick

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Penalty for typo in registration number

                              Originally posted by charitynjw View Post
                              Dealing, or trying to deal with, 3rd party debt collectors is a complete waste of time.

                              They are interested in one thing only...their slice of the potential pie.
                              I appreciate that. But I have tried dealing with RCP and they are pointing to TCM. RCP returned the cheque and just said I need to deal with them.

                              the cat

                              Comment

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